Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles

ABSTRACT

An exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles including a bellows ( 10 ), an outer braid member ( 20 ) spaced from the bellows and braided with a predetermined angle, a retainer ( 30 ) having a support ( 31 ) inwardly curved at both ends thereof for engaging to a ring damper ( 40 ), the retainer being affixed to the ends of the bellows ( 10 ) and installed between the outer surface of the bellows ( 10 ) and the outer braid member ( 20 ) to prevent direct contact thereof, the ring damper ( 40 ) located outward the support ( 31 ) formed in the retainer ( 30 ), a fixing cap ( 50 ) coupled to the outer diameter of the outer braid member ( 20 ) in order that the outer braid member ( 20 ) and the retainer ( 30 ) are located outward the bellows ( 10 ), wherein the outer braid member ( 20 ) absorbs tension in excessive outer forces, i.e., displacement of tension and compression, and the ring damper ( 40 ) controls the displacement of compression and shear displacement by the ring damper ( 40 ), thereby controlling the bellows within the elastic range.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust pipe decoupler forvehicles, and more particularly, an exhaust pipe decoupler wherein aring-shaped damper affixed by a retainer is inserted into the interiorof the outer braid member in an exhaust system for vehicles, forreducing excessive outer forces and displacement applied to the bellowsto improve durability of the bellows.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is well known that vehicle engines are coupled to the exhaustpipe employing a muffler for exhausting the exhaust gas from the vehicleand the decoupler is acts to absorb and buffer the vibrationdisplacement, impact load or heat deformation.

[0003] The decoupler on this location should be mounted to absorb engineand road vibrations and displacement. There is a possibility ofexcessive displacement in any direction, such as tension compression,bending or deflection.

[0004] In order to improve absorbing capability of the vibrationdisplacement and maintain airtight of the decoupler of vehicles, thebellows is fabricated from metal.

[0005] Various types of the exhaust pipe decoupler have been known andone of them is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,215, which shows aflexible coupler apparatus in a compact, simple structure.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,215, both ends of the inner and outersleeve members, each coupled to the engine and exhaust pipes, in ahollow cylindrical shape are curved on the ends to form rims. Air gapsare shown between rims and inner sleeve member and between inner andouter sleeve members.

[0007] A flexible bellows for absorbing the displacement in longitudinalis affixed to the opposite ends of the inner and outer sleeve members.

[0008] Caps are outwardly fixed on the ends of the sleeve members andthe bellows. A metal wire braid is wrapped around the bellows.

[0009] A displacement portion is formed at the intermediate overlappingposition of the inner and outer sleeve members, which is elongated andbent, so that the bending displacement in overlapping state of thecentral axis angle with respect to the exhaust pipe decoupler andflexible displacement in longitudinal direction from impact in enginevibration or travelling are absorbed by air gap between the rims and thebellows.

[0010] EP 0410089A1 shows a decoupler of metal for absorbing expansionor deflection, including bellows. An interlock member is included in thebellows, which functions to absorb expansion or deflection, controldisplacement within the elastic range, guide the exhaust gas and protectthe bellows from exhaust gas of high temperature.

[0011] The bellows and braid members thereon are circumferentiallyaffixed to each end by caps together.

[0012] One end is coupled to the engine and the other end is coupled tothe exhaust pipe for allowing the exhaust gas to pass in the exhaustpipe. Impact or deformation to the engine and the exhaust pipe isabsorbed by the bellows and the interlock member.

[0013] A fixing means for coupling the opposite ends of the bellows andthe interlock member is an important element for determining lifetime ofthe flexible coupling for exhaust pipe.

[0014] The interlock member in spiral may cause problems regardingdurability and noise, dependent on the closing method of the oppositeends.

[0015] The applicant has suggested an improvement of a flexible tube forcoupling exhaust pipe in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 101514,UM Appln. No. 94-36920, including an intermediate member for a fixingmeans for coupling the opposite ends of the interlock member and thebellows.

[0016] The exhaust pipe decoupler mainly depends on the metal bellows ofgood capability to absorb the vibration displacement and keepairtightness. However, excessive displacement and heavy stress on thebellows itself result in low controlling capability.

[0017] An outer braid member is mounted outward on the bellows, whichfunctions to keep superior durability in elastic range in each directionwith respect to the bellows.

[0018] Since the commonly-used one fold outer braid member is made ofstainless wire net, it is disadvantageous to insufficiently controlexcessive power or displacement in tension or compression directionunless the outer braid member is stick to the outer surface of thebellows.

[0019] In case that the outer braid member is stick to the bellows,tension forces are controlled but compressive forces are not controlled.This may cause the bellows to be easily worn out depending on the extentof tightness, resulting in short lifetime.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention has an object to provide a vehicle exhaustpipe decoupler for reducing displacement and excessive outer forcesapplied to the bellows and improve durability of the bellows byinserting a ring-shaped damper member fixed by a retainer into theinterior of outer braid member on the bellows.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicleexhaust pipe decoupler in which vehicle body decoupling joint andresonance of the exhaust system are controlled to adapt to the vehicle,by adequately controlling resonance and damping characteristics of thebellows.

[0022] Further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicleexhaust pipe decoupler with high productivity and reliability.

[0023] In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, thereis provided an exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles, comprising a bellows10 made of metal and formed in cylindrical and a repeatedly corrugatedshapes; an outer braid member 20 braided at a predetermined angle forwrapping around the bellows 10 with a predetermined space from thebellows 10; a retainer 30 having a support 31, inwardly curved at eachend thereof for receiving a ring damper 40, the retainer being affixedto both ends of the bellows 10 and mounted between the outer surface ofthe bellows 10 and the outer braid member 20 to prevent direct contactthereof; a ring damper 40 disposed outward the support 31 formed at theretainer 30; and a fixing cap 50 fitted into the outer diameter of theouter braid member 20 in order that the outer braid member 20 and theretainer 30 are affixed outward the bellows 10.

[0024] In case that heavy outer forces, i.e., tension and compressiondisplacements are applied to the bellows 10, a ring damper 40 is mountedoutward the retainer 30 fixed between the outer braid member and thebellows 10 in order to control movement of the bellows 10 within theelastic range, so that motion of the excessive tension forces arecontrolled by the outer braid member 20 with a predetermined angle andmotion of the excessive compression and shearing forces by the ringdamper 40 are controlled, thereby improving durability in deformationand displacement from the excessive outer forces applied to the bellows10. Productivity and reliability are improved as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the exhaust pipe decoupler of thepresent invention;

[0027] FIGS. 2 to 4 show the embodiments of the guide member mountedinterior of the bellows of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the inner ring damper mounted on thedecoupler of FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a sectional view with the protecting covers at each endof the outer braid member mounted on the decoupler of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a sectional view in which the ring damper fills themiddle of retainers; and

[0031]FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the ring damper on theretainers to correspond the ends of the ring damper with the receivingsection on which the ring dampers are received.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0032] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectionalview of the exhaust pipe decoupler of the present invention; FIG. 2 is asectional view with the inner braid member of the present invention;FIG. 3 is a sectional view with the interlock member of the presentinvention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view with the sleeve member for guidingthe exhaust gas; FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the inner ring damper;FIG. 6 is a sectional view with the a protecting cover at each end ofthe outer braid member; FIG. 7 is a sectional view in which the ringdamper fills the interval in the middle of retainers fixed at oppositeends of the bellows; and FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the ringdamper on the retainers to form slant of the ends of the ring damper andthe support on which the ring dampers are seated.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a bellows 10 cylindrically formed in arepeatedly corrugated shape is made to absorb the displacement in axialor bending direction and restore the original shape when the outerforces are removed.

[0034] Outwardly disposed from the bellows 10 is an outer braid member20. The outer braid member 20 is spaced for a predetermined clearancefrom the bellows 10, wrapped around the bellows 10 and made toelastically deform the tension forces.

[0035] A retainer 30 between the outer braid member 20 and the bellows10 is affixed at each end with the bellows. The retainer 30 includes asupport 31 and each end of the retainer 30 is bent to receive thesupport 31 to preclude direct contact of the bellows 10 and the outerbraid member 20 due to tension displacement by maintaining the clearancebetween the bellows 10 and the outer braid 20.

[0036] The present invention suggests a ring damper 40 by a support 31at each end of the retainer 30, for controlling compression and clippingdisplacements.

[0037] Engine vibration, vibrations from road condition in travelling,tension compression in motion of the exhaust system, and excessivedisplacement in each direction from bending and torsion have beenapplied to the bellows 10 to cause low durability. Mounting a ringdamper 40 on the retainer 30 between the bellows 10 and the outer braidmember 20 solves this disadvantage. The ring damper 40 functions tolimit the displacement in clipping direction and compressive forces,thereby controlling the bellows 10 within the elastic range of thebellows 10 to prevent low durability.

[0038] Mounting the ring damper 40 contributes to improve air tightnessand vibration displacement absorbing capability. The increased dampingeffect at the resonance point allows the noise to be much reduced.

[0039] In order to firmly affix the outer braid member 20 and theretainer 30 on the bellows 10 a fixing cap 50 is engaged to insert tothe outer braid member 20 and the bellows 10.

[0040] The fixing cap 50 functions to maintain a predetermined clearanceon the retainer 30 and the outer braid member 20 from the bellows 10,and acts as an intermediate member to fix on the bellows, ultimately bywelding on the bellows 10.

[0041] Outwardly from the outer braid member 20, a cover member 60 isdisposed to wrap the outer braid member 20, for preventing corrosionfrom gas or alien substance. The cover member 60 may be disposed andfixed at one end or both ends, two cover members being spaced with apredetermined distance for engagement.

[0042] The ring damper 40 may be formed in various shapes. FIG. 7 showsthe ring damper 40 protruded downward at the center thereof to supportthe ends of the retainer 30 fixed with the ends of the bellows 10, inorder to increase resistance in the compression direction.

[0043] The curved portion of the support 31 at the end of the retainer30 is formed to have a predetermined inner slant (FIG. 8). The ends ofthe ring damper 40 are formed to couple to the slant side of the support31, thereby preventing the ring damper 40 in the support 31 from beingdeviated.

[0044] If it is desired to change resonance frequency and dampingefficiency, density and shape of the ring damper 40 may be modified orthe superimposing number of the outer braid member 20 or thickness ofbraided wire may be modified to control the necessary function.

[0045] Shape of the ring damper 40 and the retainer 30 may be modifieddepending on the exhaust system tube to be applied.

[0046] In case that excessive outer forces are applied to the ringdamper 40, the outer braid member 20 wrapped around the bellows 10 isformed in a double braid: outward outer braid member is formed of anobtuse angle; and inward outer braid member is formed of an acute angle,so that resistance to tension and compression is increased.

[0047] In a double outer braid member, the outward outer braid member ofan obtuse angle controls motion of displacement by compression,excessive outer forces applied to the bellows 10.

[0048] The inward outer braid member of an acute angle is located tocontrol motion of the bellows 10 from excessive tension.

[0049] In case that the excessive outer forces the ring damper 40 cannothold are applied, a double outer braid member formed of an obtuse angleand an acute angle enables the outer forces applied to the bellows 10 tobe controlled within the range of displacement of elastic range of thebellows, and as a result durability of the bellows 10 is increased.

[0050] A guide member 100 absorbs expansion or deformation and controlsdisplacement within the elastic range of the bellows 10. The guidemember 100 acts to guide the exhaust gas and protect the bellows 10 fromthe exhaust gas of high temperature.

[0051] For the guide member 100, an inner braid member 110, interlockmember 120 or inner sleeve member for guiding the exhaust gas may beselected.

[0052] The inner braid member 110 made of stainless wire net is fixed byusing a belt 111 in cylindrical direction inward the bellows 10.

[0053] When the inner braid member 110 receives axial or bendingdisplacement, the inner braid member 110 causes damping effect byfriction from a double wire braid net when the opposite ends are fixed.The inner braid member 110 mounted in the bellows 10 in a hollowcylindrical shape prevents exhaust noise or resistance by the bellows10, so that durability of the bellows 10 is improved.

[0054] The interlock member 120 is disposed to keep a predetermined gapfrom inward the bellows 10, wound in spiral, to absorb deformation inlongitudinal and bending direction.

[0055] Outward the bellows 10 the ring damper 40 may be inserted betweenthe outer braid member 20 and the bellows 10 in order to absorb orcontrol displacement by outer forces on the bellows. Alternatively, theinterlock 120 may be mounted interior of the bellows 10 for absorbingdeformation in the longitudinal and bending direction, so thatdurability is increased.

[0056] The interlock 120 is coupled to ring-shaped interlock fixingsleeve 121 and firmly affixed inward the bellows 10.

[0057] One end of the interlock fixing sleeve 121 is partiallysuperimposed and bent inward the interlock 120 and spot-welded to couplethe bellows 10 with the interlock 120.

[0058] The guide member 100 for protecting the bellows 10 (FIG. 4) mayinclude a cylindrical inner sleeve member 130 for passing the exhaustgas of high temperature.

[0059] The inner sleeve member 130 for guiding the exhaust gas is bentto partially superimpose with the end of the bellows 10 to fix byspot-welding, thereby increasing durability of the bellows 10.

[0060] For the guide member the inner ring damper 140 may be inserted,which performs damping function to absorb vibration displacement andcontrolling function for excessive compressive and shearing forces.

[0061] Since the inner ring damper 140 is inserted into the outersurface of an inner ring damper fixing sleeve 141 fixed at the inneropposite ends of the bellows 10, the exhaust gas is guided by the innerring damper fixing sleeve 141 and the bellows is protected by the ringdamper 140.

[0062] In case that heavy outer forces, i.e., tension and compressiondisplacements are applied to the bellows 10, the ring damper 40 ismounted outward the retainer 30 fixed between the outer braid member andthe bellows 10 in order to control movement of the bellows 10 within theelastic range, so that motion of the excessive tension forces arecontrolled by the outer braid member 20 with a predetermined angle andmotion of the excessive compression and shearing forces by the ringdamper 40 are controlled, thereby improving durability in deformationand displacement from the excessive outer forces applied to the bellows10. Productivity and reliability are improved as well.

1. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles, comprising: a bellows (10) made of metal and formed in cylindrical and a repeatedly corrugated shapes; an outer braid member (20) braided at a predetermined angle for wrapping around the bellows (10) with a predetermined space from the bellows (10); a retainer (30) having a support (31), inwardly curved at each end thereof for receiving a ring damper (40), the retainer being affixed to both ends of the bellows (10) and mounted between the outer surface of the bellows (10) and the outer braid member (20) to prevent direct contact thereof; a ring damper (40) disposed outward the support (31) formed at the retainer (30); and a fixing cap (50) fitted into the outer diameter of the outer braid member (20) in order that the outer braid member (20) and the retainer (30) are affixed outward the bellows (10).
 2. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the ring damper (40) forms an inward bending portion at the center thereof to improve resistance in the compression direction.
 3. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the support (31) of the retainer (30) is inwardly curved at both ends of the retainer (30) and the ends of the ring damper (40) form the corresponding slant to engage with the curved end portions of the support (31).
 4. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein a cover member (60) is located outward the outer braid member (20).
 5. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the outer braid member (20) includes an outward outer braid member of an obtuse angle and an inward inner braid member of an acute angle.
 6. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein a guide member (100) is mounted in the bellows (10) for absorbing deformation such as bending and expansion and controlling the displacement within the elastic range of the bellows (10) to guide the flow of exhaust gas and protect the bellows (10) from the exhaust gas of high temperature, thereby improving durability of the decoupler.
 7. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein an inner braid member (110) is mounted for the guide member (100).
 8. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein an interlock member (120) is mounted for the guide member (100).
 9. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein an inner sleeve member (130) is provided with the guide member (100).
 10. Exhaust pipe decoupler for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein an inner ring damper (140) is inserted to the guide member (100). 